I’m currently a student at FSU and right now, I’m not really enjoying it at all. I’ve been here for three semesters and I’m realizing it’s not really for me. One of the reasons I don’t really like it is because of it’s reputation as a party school, and how it’s associated with every student. Also, how nearly every social aspect is affiliated with greek life. I know UF has greek life too, but I don’t think it’d be as prevalent.
I’m thinking of transferring to UF (where I know more people) and feel like I’d be happier. I’ve already begun taking classes in preparation to transfer into the Computer Science, B.S. (COE) major. I’ve been reading about this major and, considering they almost cut it, would they be hesitant to accept me when I apply?
The curriculum to get into the program at UF is much harder as well (up to Calc III) whereas FSU is up to Calc II. This is where I don’t know if it’s worth it to transfer simply because of my major. I know UF is higher ranked in Comp Sci but is it that much of a difference?
Please share your thoughts. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place!
The way I see it, UF and FSU both aren’t top 10/Tier 1/Elite schools, so as far as the degree goes you’re going to have pretty much the same opportunities graduating from either school. Slightly more of an edge at UF because yes it is ranked higher, but it’s not like if an employer had to pick between a UF kid and an FSU kid they’d just see “UF” and throw the FSU app out, they’d look at each person’s credentials and choose who’s best. But for instance if they had to pick between Stanford and UF, yeah they’d look at both credentials…but the Stanford kid is almost guaranteed to get hired over you.
So basically between UF and FSU, it’s not a big difference where you get your degree from, go wherever you’re happiest, which would seem to be at UF.
Also, common misconception that UF planned to cut out their Computer Science degree. They did plan to cut a lot of graduate research and fire some TA’s, but the degree itself wasn’t going to be cut, just the department (Computer Information and Science). The Electrical and Computer Engineering department would have taken over the Computer Science degree so they could save money by just having one department handle all computer-related degrees.
First, as a general rule, UF is far more awesome than FSU! (no biased here!). I can vouch for the fact that the sky is bluer in Gainesville, the grass is greener, the air smells sweeter, the rivers are deeper (ok, not “rivers” but we have a few creeks), \m/
Do you currently live on campus? If so, as a Freshmen the social scene can seem dominated by Greeks, however, by the time you’re living off campus (and have reached legal drinking age) and taking your core CS courses they really fade away. At FSU, 16% of male students are in a fraternity (compare to 20% at UF), and 22% of the women students are in Sororities (compared to 21% at UF). Not much difference. I wouldn’t switch because of the Greek system.
Like BlackMetal said, UF never planned on cutting the CS program in the college of engineering, but consolidating the CS program in the college of liberal arts into the COE program. The program is actually growing as it’s one of the focuses of our Preeminence campaign. If you’re thinking of doing research, then look into what’s currently being done at UF( and FSU).
IMHO Calc 3 isn’t harder than Calc 2 (in fact, I found 2 harder, but that could have simply been who was teaching the class). At either school, expect to take a lot of math classes.
FSU’s CS degree (the BS degree and not the BA degree) in the COE is ABET accredited. UF’s program is not. However, ABET accredited really doesn’t mean much for CS (Stanford’s and University of Wisconsin’s programs are also not ABET accredited, for example).
Thanks to both of your responses! I’m completing a transfer application now and, @Gator88NE, you definitely seem to know a lot about UF. So maybe you could help me:
I want to apply to the DAS (Digital Arts and Sciences) major for when I transfer. The only problem is that they only accept applications for Fall.
Right now, I have to complete the prerequisites by the time I apply, and in order for me to be considered for Fall I would need to take 2 of the prerequisite classes (Calc III and Phys II) at UF. Do you know how they feel about conditional acceptances and completing pre requisites at UF?
Other factors: I have a 4.0, transferring from FSU -> FAU -> UF.
Another question: would it be easier to transfer from a university (FAU) or a community college (PBSC)? They’re located right next to each other so it wouldn’t be a problem for me.
First, always look to UF for the definitive answer to any of your questions!
You can contact CISE undergraduate advisers at ugadvisors@cise.ufl.edu or call 352-392-1090.
DAS? That’s a little different than CSE, they follow the standard transfer requirements, plus submit the Personal Statement of Intent (PSI) and Supplemental Support Material (SSM). Check with UF, they may let you in with a conditional acceptance (with completing only 5 of 7 critical tracking courses) since the program is only taking transfers in the Fall. This really make it much harder to transfer, due to the timing of completing your critical tracking courses. They may “relax” the standards for DAS. If not, perhaps they will let you take a course over the summer?
I don’t think it will matter if you transfer from FAU or PBSC (since you have a 4.0 GPA), but if you do transfer from PBSC, you will need an AA degree.
@Gator88NE Thanks for the detailed response. I’ve contacted advisors in the department before and they don’t mention anything regarding conditional acceptance before you submit an application. All they have told me is that they “highly recommend” I complete all prereqs before I transfer. If not, I would have 4/6 completed and the last 2 IP to apply for CSE in Spring.
Also, how important is the PSI? I’m looking at the application and that seems like it could be heavily weighted, but it’s only 200 words so I’m not sure how important it really is.
It’s competitive, so if you’re competing against other transfer students with 6/6 completed, it could be a disadvantage.
I would think the PSI is like the freshman app essay, it’s important enough that you need to do a solid job with it, but it’s not that hard, at 200 words to do so.
Thanks again @Gator88NE. I’ve just emailed the same advisor again (he’s probably getting annoyed with me, so many questions!) But I emailed him and he said the people who have all of them done take priority but GPA is also important.
Also, a little further up I asked if transferring from a university or a community college makes a difference. According to http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/ugrad/trapprocess.html, it says that the students from community college get preference.
If you are not into party schools, do NOT come to UF. I currently go to the University of Florida, but am transferring to UCF next semester. There is literally nothing to do in Gainesville besides go to midtown (bars and clubs), be in a frat (paying for friends), or go to sporting events (all the teams suck and, will continue to for the next couple years). And do not think that I am just a social outcast who struggles to make friends and is saying all these things out of spite. This is the honest truth. TRUST me the greek like IS as prevalent, if not more. If I were you I would transfer to UCF where the city is more than just the college, but that is just my advice. (and what I am doing). Feel free to message me if you have any questions.
Only 1 in 5 undergraduates are in a fraternity or sorority. UF has a 96% Freshman retention rate, while UCF is 87%. For every freshman that transfers or drops out of UF in the first year, more than 3 drop out of UCF.
While we’re at it, UF’s 6 year graduation rate is 87%, while UCF’s is only 67%.
I understand that your experience hasn’t been the best, but you’re part of a small minority. Those of us that graduated from UF, on average very much enjoyed our experience.
Well, if it is just not the right place for someone to live, it is just not the right place. I know this feeling, especially considering the size of cities and living in the middle of nowhere (I don’t mean Gainesville by any means, compared to where I lived it is huge :), but I understand that it might feel like it for someone from NYC, DFW, etc. )
But I don’t think that there is much of a difference between FSU, UF or UCF in being a “party school”… They are all fairly big universities. I think most universities in the US, especially bigger state universities, can be considered party schools… I feel like it depends more on the kind of people you associate with. Also it is most likely worse the younger the people you know are.
@gtownbound UCF is also a party school. There’s also just as ‘little’ to do in Orlando unless you have theme park passes. The Greek life is going to be just about as prevalent at UCF.
In my opinion, yes, Orlando is more than just UCF, but that doesn’t really mean you have more things to do, it’s just more businesses really. I live here, and the only things to do are go places to eat, walk around downtown, go to bars/clubs (if you’re into that), all of which you can do in any city. At least in Gainesville you have lots of outdoor recreational activities such as state parks, nature trails, canoeing, etc., which cost significantly less than a theme park.